The ESCRO Committee’s review shall be specific to the scientific and ethical issues presented by proposals to use hESC in particular research projects. ESCRO Committee review and approval shall be deemed to be separate from and in addition to any other reviews or approvals otherwise required at the UW for such research, including but not limited to committees or administrative offices having responsibility for review and approvals of human subjects research, animal research, biological safety, radioactive materials, and environmental safety. The responsibilities of the ESCRO Committee shall be to:

Provide, in accordance with GIM 36, scientific and ethical review of proposed hESC research, including compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and UW policies;

Review and approve or disapprove all hESC research at the UW or involving UW personnel requiring institutional review (subject to any other UW approvals that may also be required);

Provide continuing review and approval of all hESC research requiring institutional review, including review of progress, adverse events, and similar reports that may be submitted to the UW by investigators conducting hESC research;

Confirm that the provenance of hESC used in hESC research at the UW or involving UW personnel is adequately demonstrated, and when appropriate, confirm that there is IRB approval of the process for acquisition of hESC to verify adherence to basic ethical and legal principles of informed consent and protection of confidentiality;

Refer to and require review of research proposals by other oversight offices or committees as required by UW policies, including but not limited to those relating to human subjects research (IRB), animal research, biological safety, and conflicts of interest;

Prescribe, establish and maintain a registry of hESC lines maintained at the UW;

Prescribe, establish and maintain a database of ongoing hESC research at the UW, including information regarding key personnel, the type of hESC research, and the hESC in use;

Monitor national, state and local ethical, regulatory and policy discussions regarding hESC research and from time to time propose modifications to UW policy as needed;

Adopt, implement and publish rules of procedures that are consistent with GIM 36 and other UW policies governing the conduct of ESCRO Committee affairs and interactions by investigators with the ESCRO Committee, including but not limited to rules covering: quorum requirements; conflict of interest disclosures by members; meeting format, schedules and length; workload assignments; content of minutes; applications and other forms; criteria for evaluating hESC research proposals; and communication of decisions; and

Facilitate education and training of investigators in the policy, ethical, legal, regulatory, and compliance issues involved in hESC research, including recommending minimum compliance training requirements as a condition for participating in hESC research;